1648 - Definition and Overview

Events

• Peace treaty signed at Westphalia ends the Thirty Years' War.
• The Dutch and the Spanish sign the Treaty of Munster, ending the Eighty Years' War. The Spanish Empire recognizes the Dutch Republic of United Netherlands as a sovereign state, (governed by the House of Orange-Nassau and the Estates General) which was before a province of the Spanish Empire. The Netherlands becomes the first European power with a republican form of government.
• November 11 - France and Netherlands agree to divide the island of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin.
• Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Ibrahim I (1640-1648) to Mehmed IV (1648-1687)
• The English Parliament finds Charles I guilty of treason, and sentences him to be executed.
• Admiral Robert Blake defeats Prince Rupert and the remnants of the Royalist navy in the English Civil War.
• In India, building of the Red Fort is completed.
• Discovery of strait (Bering Strait) between Asia and North America by Semyon Dezhnev

Ongoing events

• English Civil War (1642-1649)

Births

• John Blow, British composer (died October 1, 1708)

Deaths

• February 2 - George Abbot, English writer
• May 26 - Vincent Voiture, poet